What Temperature Should I Vaporize At?

OK. So we already know vaporizing is WAY healthier than smoking. However, many people simply don’t understand the benefits, or choose the convenience of smoking over vaporizing. When lighting a joint or taking a lighter to a bong, you’re burning the bud and releasing toxic by-products such as carcinogens. This process is referred to as ‘combustion’. Combustion creates smoke,  which is the prime cause of lung cancer and many other respiratory illnesses.

Releasing Cannabinoids Without Combustion

When ‘smoking’ weed, about 88% of the smoke created by combustion consists of non-cannabinoids, meaning you’re mostly inhaling harmful by-products and getting very little of the desired active ingredient. In comparison, when vaporizing, 95% of what you’re inhaling are cannabinoids. Cannabinoids are highly combustible, and many of the delicate trichomes are destroyed during combustion. Since the process of vaporization isn’t to burn the weed, but instead, heat it to the optimal temperature below the combustion level, the vapor the marijuana emits is 95% smoke and carcinogen free. In short, vaporizing dehydrates your herb, which releases its active ingredient without ever having to be ignited.

Am I Vaporizing at too High/Low of a Temperature?

That being said, there’s still a fair amount of confusion amongst vapor enthusiasts as to what temperature to set your vaporizer at to avoid combustion and to make sure you’re getting the most from your herbs. When you smoke, your buds are being burned at over 2000°F. While most vaporizers differ, units with preset temperature settings typically start around 300°F on the ‘LO’ setting. This is actually above the level at which cannabinoids begin to vaporize, 285°F. Additionally, many units tend to have ‘HI’ settings of around 400°F, which is above the threshold at which marijuana beings to combust, 392°F.

What is the Perfect Temperature for True Vaporization?

The trick is to find the temperature in between 285°F and 392°F at which the vapor being produced is most effective. If the temperature is too low, you won’t get much vapor production. If the temperature is too high, you’ll be getting dangerously close to combustion and are essentially defeating the purpose of vaporizing. In my experience, I’ve found the zone right around 350°F to be the ‘sweet spot.’ At this level, you’ll be able to get adequate vapor production and steer-clear of the combustion threshold. You’ll find that once you find your ‘goldilocks zone’ in regards to temperature, your vape sessions will prove to be more consistent and much more enjoyable overall.